July 2012 Prospect Profile: Trenton's All-Stars

Brett Marshall was the East's starting pitcher in the EL All-Star Game.(nj.com)

The Trenton Thunder sent six to the Eastern League’s All-Star Game on July 11, and while injuries to outfielders Abraham Almonte and Cody Johnson meant that only four played, the Double-A Yankees were a big part of the Eastern Division’s walk-off 5-4 victory.

Brett Marshall began the festivities on the mound, as he was tabbed the starting pitcher for the East, and although he got himself into a pair of jams, he also got out of them without much damage. Marshall escaped a first-and-third, one-out jam in the opening frame by getting Jordan Lennerton to rap into a 6-6-3 double play, and then after allowing a walk and an RBI single in the second, he induced a 6-4-3 DP off the bat of Robbie Widlansky to end his night with a line of 2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, and 1 BB.

Later, it was Kelvin Perez’ turn, as he came in with the score tied 4-4 in the eight. Perez got two quick outs, and after allowing singles to Lennerton and Thomas Neal, he got Ramon Cabrera to pop out to end the scoreless frame.

That led to the ninth inning, where Kevin Mahoney – who had just completed an injury rehab assignment in time to play in the game – helped spark the winning rally.

The score was still knotted 4-4, and it was decided that if the East did not score, the game would end in a tie after nine innings – and things looked even bleeker after Orioles prospect Pedro Viola got Chris Herrmann to pop out and struck out Thunder outfielder Melky Mesa (who went 0-for-4 with 3 Ks but did make a pair of great catches in center field) to quickly record the first two outs.

Harrisburg’s Hector Nelo was then called on to record the final out of the game…but he never did.

After a Troy Hanzawa single, Mahoney strode to the plate and recorded his lone hit of the night, a single that moved Hanzawa to third. He took second on defensive indifference, and moments later, Eric Campbell laced a single that scored Hanzawa and gave the East a dramatic 5-4 win.

Trenton began the second half of their season with a 7-6 win over New Britain on July 12 – one that saw Mahoney go 3-for-5 with an RBI – and as they head towards the Eastern League playoffs, they hope that all four of their active All-Stars remain hot, and the two who missed the game can recoup and help them earn a postseason berth.